5 apps to make your next holiday the best one yet

It’s only normal to want to make your next holiday your best one yet. You’ve earned it, after all. So, to help you make that perfect holiday a reality, Team GP has collated the five best travel apps for you to download onto your smartphones.

We’ve got everything covered from learning the lingo before you go, to apps that help you switch off and enjoy that much-needed downtime once you’re there. Whether you’re going away this Easter or later in the year, have your phone’s app store at the ready…

1.Get organised

There’s a lot to do before you jet off. You need to make sure that you’ve sorted travel insurance, that everyone’s passport is up to date, that you’ve exchanged some money…the list goes on.

It’s easy to forget something (check out our article on holiday essentials you never knew you needed) and just as bad is that niggling feeling  you’ve left an essential item behind as you travel to the airport.

Wunderlist is a simple to-do list and task manager app that helps you get stuff done. This cross-device app – you can add, organise and schedule your to-dos from your phone, tablet or computer – allows you to set due dates and reminders to make sure you get everything completed in time, so there’s no last-minute panics. It’s perfect for pre-holiday checklists and once you’ve created your perfect list, you can reuse it again and again. Result.

2.Adopt the right mindset

Once you’ve boarded, it’s time to breathe a sigh of relief and switch off for a bit. Getting some shut-eye will definitely help the journey go that bit quicker – plus you’ll arrive refreshed and ready to start your holiday with a bang, rather than sloping off to your hotel room to catch up on sleep.

But with all those fellow passengers acting as a distraction – not to mention any little ones joining you –  it can be tricky to get into the right headspace for sleep.

The Headspace app can help even the lightest sleepers sink into a slumber. Using guided meditations and mindfulness techniques, Headspace creates the ideal conditions for a restful nap. Why not use it in the evenings on holiday too?

3.Learn the lingo

We’re often a bit lazy when it comes to learning languages, in part because we assume other nationals will speak good English. According to a survey published by the European Commission, nearly two-thirds of Brits can’t speak any other language apart from English!

Perhaps it’s time we made more of an effort?

Apart from anything else, being able to speak a bit of the lingo can be helpful for getting around and finding out where the best places to eat and drink are.

Duolingo is trying to change the way people learn languages, using advanced technology to personalise every lesson for you. The premise is  that for most people, learning a language out of a textbook is a struggle, so the app instead uses gamification to encourage engagement – give it a go, you’ll be surprised how much you can pick up in just a short space of time!

4.Map your route

Is it possible to see the Trevi Fountain in Rome and the Vatican City in the same day? The Citymapper app will show you whether it’s realistic by giving you the best route for all urban modes of transport, from walking and cycling to driving.

The free app, which is powered primarily by user-generated data, makes it easy to get around your city of choice. It offers real-time departures, disruption alerts and transport maps in 39 urban areas across the world, helping you to get the most out of the finite time you have in your destination.

With Citymapper, you won’t waste a minute trying to read local public information – leaving more valuable time for exploring. And yes, it is possible to see Trevi Fountain and the Vatican City in the same day!

5.Choose the best restaurants

Your choice of food and drink can have a significant bearing on how you perceive your holiday. For the sake of convenience, you might opt for something that doesn’t quite hit the mark and leaves you feeling decidedly underwhelmed.

But why settle for average? OpenTable allows you to check out the best restaurants nearby and even make a booking. Viewing a restaurant in OpenTable lets you check the price range, view the overall rating from users, see the menu, read user reviews and much more.

You’ll never have to eat a sub-par meal on holiday again. Well, unless the kids get their way and drag you along to somewhere that’s more fast food than fine dining…here’s your chance to educate them!

Keep your phone charged!

Apps can sap your phone’s battery life. But that’s not a problem as long as you have a GPPowerBank to hand. Charging on the go has never been so simple, or so stylish.

Are there any apps you’d recommend downloading before heading off on your hols and which help you get the most out of your valuable annual leave? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter page!